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[0:00] Thank you for choosing to listen to today's message by Reverend Dr. David Etrie. We know you will be blessed as you seek and serve God. We believe that this message will stir up a desire for more of God even as you listen.

[0:13] Be blessed. Oh eternal Father, Heavenly Father, we have come at your feet to learn of you, to hear from you, to receive from you, and to be infused with you.

[0:31] We pray that Lord, reveal yourself through the scriptures and through the teaching of your word to us. In Jesus' mighty name, amen.

[0:44] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Colossians chapter 1. Colossians chapter 1 verse 15.

[1:04] From verse 15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.

[1:25] All things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things. And in him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.

[1:45] Verse 19. For it pleased the Father that in him all the fullness should dwell. And by him to reconcile all things to himself.

[1:59] By him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in his sight.

[2:26] Here ends the reading of God's word. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[2:37] Amen. That's right. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[2:48] Amen. Amen. Amen.

[3:01] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. determines who is saved and who is not saved. Jesus puts it this way in John chapter 6, verse 37, and chapter 6, verse 44, 37 says that, all the Father gives to me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will no way cast away.

[3:29] Verse 44 says that, no man can come to me unless the Father who sent me does what? Draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.

[3:42] So he said, you can't come to Jesus. You can't come, Nathaniel, you can't come to Jesus, except the Father draws you.

[3:57] So anyone who becomes a Christian doesn't become a Christian because one day you were there, and suddenly you chose that I am going to be a Christian.

[4:10] No, it is the draw of God. In Philippians, it says, in Philippians 2, 13, it says, for it is God who works in you, or who is at work in you, both to produce, who works in you, both to will and to do his good pleasure.

[4:32] So you, there's no human being who by himself or herself can choose to do anything that can please God. Did you see that text?

[4:42] It said, for it is God who works in you. So inside you, God works in you, both to will and then to do.

[4:52] So their williness didn't come from you. Their williness was the result of the workings of God inside you. So another translation puts it this way, it said, it is God who works in you to produce the willing and the doing of his good pleasure.

[5:12] That's right, that's right. It's interesting, isn't it? It said, for it is God who works in you, he's working in you to produce something. To produce something.

[5:24] And so, like, I was teaching a group of guys recently and I was talking about a breastfeeding mother. A breastfeeding mother has milk because of the presence of the second child.

[5:39] If the child gets weaned, the milk will stop, dry out. So, the fact that you have breast doesn't mean you have milk. You can't say, okay, anytime I want, like the way we drink water, anytime I want, I can produce milk.

[5:57] No, no, you can't. No human being can produce milk by himself. Something must happen in your body to change the order that is within and suddenly you begin to produce milk.

[6:11] And so, in the same way, he says that it is God who works in you to produce the will, a will. So, the fact that you willed to come to church is not because you are so decent, but it's because God has been working in you.

[6:25] To will and not just to, because some of us will, but we don't do. Yeah. You remember how you willed that, you will not kiss that guy? Hey! Hey! Hey!

[6:36] Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Oh. Am I, am I a stranger here? Hey! You remember how you willed that, you will not gossip? Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! How you willed that, you will not watch the porn?

[6:47] Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

[6:57] Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

[7:08] Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

[7:18] you had the willingness, but then to do. So Paul said something in Romans chapter 7, to will is present with me, but to do is what I don't find.

[7:31] Then do it, I don't find. So those of you who have found yourself doing some things, say, for I know that in me, that is in my flesh, nothing could dwell, for to will is present with me.

[7:44] But the problem is not the presence of willingness. The problem is how to perform the good thing that I can't find. The thing I'm willing, I want to perform, but I can't find.

[7:57] Hey! You really want to do outreach, but hey! When we say outreach, we are going for evangelism.

[8:08] You want to do it, but you can't find it. You will, but you can't find it. So those of us who go, we shouldn't be boasting and saying, see me, I'm doing it. No, no, no.

[8:19] How many of you have attempted to do fasting and it failed? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It was a woeful, doomed venture.

[8:35] It was an unsuccessful venture. So there's no successful thing anybody does which pleases God.

[8:45] You can do other things. It doesn't mean it's pleasing God. Okay? The text says that to do of his good pleasure. So I'm talking about pleasing. I'm not just talking about religious activities.

[8:57] Because the fact that you are doing something doesn't mean God is pleased with it. Oh, yeah. That one is very important. It's in the text. Philippians chapter 2 verse 13. It is God who works in you both to wiggle and to do for his good pleasure.

[9:16] So you can't do anything to please God by yourself. Excuse me. You don't have it. Romans chapter 3 verse 11 talks about how none of us, there's no one, none of us seeks God and seeks after God.

[9:27] Romans 3 verse 23 talks about for all have sinned, we are falling short of the glory of God. So there's no man can please God in himself.

[9:42] Right. So that's the sovereignty of God. So Jesus said in John chapter, as I read earlier, in John chapter 6 verse 44, that no man, no one can come to me.

[9:57] That's okay. See the means capitalized. That's Jesus. To me, unless the Father who sent me draws. So it's like God is pulling his, let's say, draw.

[10:08] So it's not necessarily you who chose, but he who draws, he was drawing you. He was drawing you. Like the way the moth is drawn to the naked flames or the light.

[10:22] You draw. You draw. God draws. The way you draw out water from the well. The well does. The water does not jump out. You have to put in something and draw.

[10:32] So the same word, draw. God is drawing you. Some of us, God is drawing you away from something, but you are so latched onto it. Drawing you.

[10:44] If I were you, I would say, draw me, Lord. Draw me, Lord. There's this song we sing, draw me close to you. Let me go. Draw me. God is the one who draws. So that's the sovereignty of God.

[10:56] He chooses whom he will draw. Now, and then I explain that when God draws people, now he gives them the responsibility of doing what he's drawing them, or complying with the draw.

[11:14] So in Romans chapter 10, he says that you can't be saved without engaging your faith. Romans 10, 13, he says that whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[11:27] And he says, verse 14, he says, for how can they believe? How can they call on him on whom they have not believed? So who is doing their work here? He tells his God. Sorry, he tells his you.

[11:38] You have to believe. God won't do the believing for you. God doesn't believe. Even though he draws us, the believing is done by us. All right. So salvation is a combination of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

[11:55] You have a role to play. Let me even put it this way. There are many Christians whose marriages are struggling. But you're a Christian.

[12:07] Look, your wedding. Bishops came. They laid. Your wig almost flew off because of them laying on of hands. Yeah. Yeah. Bishops were at your wedding.

[12:20] Apostles. People with all kinds of titles. Apostolic revelators. Now the titles are coming. Many are coming. Hey, from everywhere. Bishop cardinals. Yeah, bishop cardinals.

[12:31] Wow. Yeah. Superintendent apostles. I'm telling you. There's only one. So. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[12:42] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So. People came for your wedding. So what happened? Why? You remember. When you were enrolling on the course.

[12:52] You came. We anointed you. And the class of 28 people. You were the only believer who was anointed. And you were the one who failed most.

[13:04] Oh. What? And the eighties. Some of them were flying. Doing well. I'm not saying being atheist means you do well, but I'm just trying to make a point.

[13:15] Because there are people who are praying and losing their job. Others are not praying and not losing their job. And people who are not praying and losing their jobs. So then why should we pray? You got to pray just to make it a day because a little prayer can prevent a big problem.

[13:31] Because God answers prayer. When you pray, you go to work, you don't sleep. Yes, yes, yes. That's it. But you have prayed. Now, let's say you, like I spoke about the wonderful gentleman.

[13:44] Let's say you're a Christian service provider or businessman or videographer. All right, all right, all right. Let's go. So, it's the sovereignty of God and then the responsibility of man.

[14:03] That's what brings salvation. Sovereignty of God, responsibility of man, and then the gospel duty. We have the duty to preach the gospel. But when we are preaching the gospel, some of you just go and be talking anything.

[14:15] We have to be careful what we preach. There's only one message. There's only one message the church has got. Only one message. And the message is Christ and him crucified.

[14:27] He said, who was preached before unto you? He said, and that he might send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before?

[14:40] It's Christ that was preached. They preached Christ. Acts 5.42. Acts 5.42. We preach Christ. And daily in the temple and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

[14:58] What did they preach? Jesus as the Christ. So their message was singular. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord.

[15:08] In those days, there were the greetings in the Roman era. When the Roman Empire was at its peak. When they colonized. Their normal greeting is Caesar Hocureus.

[15:20] Instead of good morning, it's like, you know, Caesar is Lord. Caesar. So they saw the Caesars as gods or demi-gods.

[15:31] Like next to God. They are gods. So Caesar Hocureus. And you have to say it. And that's the normal greeting. That shows that you are patriotic. And then they become born again.

[15:42] And they realize that Jesus is Lord. I can't say Caesar is Lord. I can't say that because it's Jesus who is Lord. And do you know what?

[15:53] They said you say it or you lose your life. Not your job. Some of us are trying to protect our jobs and our houses and our friendship. He said you either say it and say Caesar is Lord and live.

[16:06] Or say Caesar is Lord. You don't say Caesar is Lord and Jesus. You can say Jesus is one of the other. Just add one. Jesus is one of them.

[16:16] You'll be okay. You can't claim exclusivity for Jesus. In those days, it was politically incorrect to say Jesus is the only way.

[16:28] And in our days, it's equally politically incorrect. It has never been politically correct to say Jesus is the way to salvation. It has never been. No, Jesus is the way.

[16:40] Jesus is the way. I'm straining. Jesus is the way. It's never been politically correct anywhere amongst men. In fact, amongst the Jews.

[16:52] They beat them because of that in Acts chapter 4 verse 11 and 12. Bible says that Peter told them that the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

[17:04] No, from verse 10. Verse 10, I mean. Verse 10. Yeah. All right. Let's go to verse 11. Let's leave that. Let's go to verse 11. Let it be. Okay. Verse 11. This is the stone. Verse 12. Verse 12.

[17:15] Nor is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given amongst men by which we must be saved.

[17:25] It was extremely unacceptable. Politically incorrect but logically correct. And so it has never been acceptable.

[17:37] And so now they got born again in the Roman times. And they say Caesar is Lord. And they said we will not say it. And they were losing their lives.

[17:49] Some of them were being turned upside down and bent at the stake. Some of them were being thrown to lions to eat. And people were watching all kinds of. And that's why they were dying. They didn't do anything wrong.

[18:01] Christians were killed, persecuted, and executed not because of wrongdoing. But because of faithfulness to the name of Christ.

[18:12] To the message of Christ. That's very interesting. Faithfulness to the message can make you vulnerable. Amongst men. And unfortunately that is what God has called us to preach.

[18:27] Bible says to the Greeks is a stumbling block. You made them stumble. Sorry to the Jews a stumbling block. To the Greeks is foolishness. But to those who are being saved.

[18:41] So we preach Christ crucified. We preach what? Christ crucified. I can't hear you. Christ crucified. Oh please say it louder. Christ crucified. Let's not read it out loud. Let's go. Christ crucified. No, no. But we preach.

[18:52] Let's go. But we preach Christ crucified. To the Jews a stumbling block. And to the Greeks foolishness. One more time. But we preach Christ crucified. It looks like some of you are not reading it.

[19:03] Oh, you need a microphone. Alright, let's read it out loud. Let's go. But we preach Christ crucified. To the Jews a stumbling block. And to the Greeks foolishness. Yes. To those who are looking for reason.

[19:15] Intellectualism. It's a stupidness. Foolishness. What do you mean by someone? Someone crucified has a burial of my life. What has that got to do with me? Somebody told Pastor Hoy yesterday as we went out preaching.

[19:27] That why should some deity sit somewhere and me be thankful to him? For what? For what? What has that got to do with me? So those who think they are smart and they are wise.

[19:39] Preaching Christ is very foolishness. So they'll tell you what matters is how nice you are to your neighbor. So we should go ahead and tell him, please don't fight among yourselves.

[19:50] We have some which you are going to take it. Some people want us to live a certain way. To look very nice.

[20:01] Christianity is not fundamentally about being a nice person in society. Christianity is Christ. I'm telling you.

[20:15] Christ is the center of Christianity. Christianity without Christ has lost its value. So he says that to the Greeks is foolishness because they want something that tantalizes their thinking.

[20:33] But to the Jews it's a stumbling block because they are so religious. He said, don't, don't. But he said to those who are saved, both Jews and Greeks. So you know, it doesn't matter if God begins to draw you.

[20:47] Your intellect can't stand in the way. Now it will just be left with your decision. So we have to preach. So they preach Christ. As I said, Acts chapter 5 verse 42.

[21:00] They preach Christ. Acts chapter 8 verse 5. And Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ. Did you see that? Philip went down to Samaria. Went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ.

[21:11] That was, that was all they were doing. That was their message. They were preaching Christ. In Romans chapter 16 verse 25. I like that bit. Romans 16 25. It says that may God establish you.

[21:22] Now unto him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ. How does God establish people? Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.

[21:33] So any church that diminishes the preaching of Christ has compromised on the gospel. Has compromised on people's destinies.

[21:46] And it's actually professionally unacceptable. We can't diminish Christ in our message.

[21:58] Because he says God is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Christ. If you remove it, your miracle won't happen. Your testimony.

[22:09] Anywhere miracles happen. Outside of the preaching of Christ, run away is not of God. Demons are behind it. Demons are behind it. Wow.

[22:20] Wow. Wow. Anywhere. They claim to be doing miracles. Without Christ-centered message. Christ is not behind it. That's true. Read the scriptures.

[22:33] Philip went down to the city of Samuel and preached Christ. And now many demons began to run out. People believed. There was in verse 6. There was for unclean spirits crying out with loud voice.

[22:45] It came out of many who were possessed. Human means can be possessed by demons. Okay. So don't just chase the woman because she looks nice. Maybe it's a hotel for demons. Don't just go to the gentleman because he's driving Mercedes-Benz.

[22:58] Maybe he's a hostel. Hostel of different types of demons. Demons. Demons. Demons living people.

[23:15] Demons living people. Being in church doesn't mean demons can't come. May I just say this? If you are born again, you can't be demon-possessed, but you can be demon-influenced.

[23:29] Anyone who is not born again is just available. Because you are Satan's bona fide property. Demons can't easily. But if you are really born again, then you can be demon-influenced.

[23:41] Or you can have strong demonic influences depending on your association, your exposure, and your practices. So some of you are born again and you are struggling with some particular habit.

[23:54] It's demon-influenced. You are struggling with this habit. Some people are born again and they can lie like they are pathological liars.

[24:08] They lie and... It's a spirit. Some of you are born again and still, you can't bring your extreme, unexplainable sexual habits under control.

[24:30] Sleeping with dogs. Sleeping with cats. No, no, no. You are born again. See, see, see. Most of you think being born again inoculates you with righteousness.

[24:42] You are not physically injected or immune from unrighteousness when you are born again. So you can be born again. Some of you are born again and you still struggle with some different types of stuff, man.

[24:55] That's right. Some of them are really demonic in nature. That you are born again and all you like is watching little children. No, it's demonic. No. If you are born again, that spirit must be broken.

[25:10] It's just broken. You are born again. You are born again and every time you are smoking like a machine gun. You can't stop it. It's very likely it has become an addiction and every addiction is not godly.

[25:28] Demons, there's a demon responsible for every form of addiction. Let alone talk about porn. You are born again, but sometimes three nights in a row.

[25:42] Look, you can't sleep. Your eyes are all red. What were you doing? You were watching porn. And it's interesting.

[25:52] When you are watching, you don't feel sleepy. You don't feel... You don't feel... You don't feel... You are happy. How many of you know that there are some things you can watch and you never feel sleepy?

[26:03] The things that I could watch and never feel sleepy was like when I'm watching some action. Oh, man. 3 a.m. I will still be watching. And you say... But when I start watching preaching...

[26:17] So it's very important. The Bible says that many unclean spirits were leaving people.

[26:32] Is it possible that that boss... Is it possible some things we call his psychiatric problem... Is it possible? Is it possible that his psychopathic...

[26:46] Is it possible that his spirit? Because some of the things some human beings can do, you can't just understand it. You just can't understand it.

[26:59] The other time, I saw demonstrators on the street of London or so on. I think last week when Trump came in. And I think it's a woman dressed like a punk and wearing just bikini and lying in the middle of the demonstrator in the road and opened the leg with the rider and said, we don't want you here.

[27:17] We don't want you. You know? So. So. No. But you can see that this is a spiritual issue.

[27:29] It's a spiritual issue. It's a spiritual issue. No amount of education can bail you out of that. Well.

[27:41] So. For us to be able to cast out devils effectively, we must stay true to the preaching of Christ. That's what I'm trying to say. Because Stephen preached Christ.

[27:52] And demons were crying out leaving. By preaching Christ. Romans says that you'll be established. God will establish you by my gospel and the preaching of Christ. Christ. In 1 Corinthians.

[28:03] 1 Corinthians 1. Verse 23. Just read it earlier on. We preach Christ. In 2 Corinthians 4. Verse 5. He says that we preach Christ. Look at 2 Corinthians 4.

[28:14] Verse 5. He says that. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord. Jesus is Lord. Let's all say Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord. Oh, say it like you.

[28:25] I believe you. I say Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord. So we preach Christ. It's very important. So now, we preach Christ. But why do we preach Christ? So when we say we preach Christ, who is Christ?

[28:36] In Matthew chapter 13. Sorry, chapter 16 verse 13. Jesus is. The Bible says that when they came to Philippi. The Caesarea. The upper. Into the regions of Caesarea Philippi.

[28:48] He asked his disciples saying, who do men say that I, the son of man, am. This is very important. But some of you, do you know that Islam, to a certain extent, gives Jesus honor?

[29:02] Buddhists give Jesus honor. Hindus give Jesus honor. In other words, they say, oh yeah, Jesus is a prophet. We accept that. They say Jesus is a good man.

[29:14] He's a good teacher. Even secularists believe that Jesus has good morals and he taught good things. So we give him that. Philosophers give it to him.

[29:26] Okay? So let's just stay in the religious field. Almost all the major religions, including Jehovah's Witness, all right? And Scientologists or Christian Science.

[29:37] They are neither Christians and neither Science. So you don't know what religion they are. Christian Science or Mormons. Mormons. They all give certain level of honor and respect to Christ.

[29:50] So when you are preaching a Muslim, the Muslim will tell you that, yes, I believe that Jesus Christ is a prophet. He came and lived. God did miracles through him. And he was, but they differ on the death.

[30:01] He was about to die. And then God sent another lookalike. So Judas is the one who died. But people thought it was Jesus. And God took Jesus away and is going to come.

[30:12] So you know why I brought this in? The Bible says that to the Jews is an offense. We don't make reference to anybody. Apart from that.

[30:24] All the reference is only Christ. So when we go and we're preaching, we don't even have to bring other personalities in. Because Christ is enough. Christ is all and all. But most of those people cannot go on the public circles without making reference to other things others are referring to.

[30:45] Especially we Christians referred. We preach Christ. Now, when we preach Christ, Jesus said, who do men say I am? Because yesterday when we went for outreach, our sister Michelle was telling me that she went to Chanel.

[31:02] She was speaking to a certain lady. And the lady said, I don't need Jesus in my life. I used to have him in my life. I've done checked him out a long time ago. When I was a child, Jesus used to be in my life.

[31:15] But I got to a time I didn't need him anymore. So I just dropped him out of my life. No, no, no. And so someone tells you this. What? Like, you're asking the person, would you like Jesus into your life?

[31:26] She said, no. I used to have him, but I've thrown him out. So what? So, but you know what I told her? I said, next time when you meet someone like that, tell the person, sorry, that's not the Jesus I'm talking about. You are talking about a different Jesus.

[31:41] When they tell us that, oh, listen to this. When they tell us that all religions are the same, fundamentally the same. Listen, we are not. Listen, religions, all these major religions, I'm talking about Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.

[31:57] All these major religions are fundamentally very different. We are very different, fundamentally, acutely different. Christianity is about Jesus as God, the son of God who died.

[32:13] Imagine it. Most of us say, how come? Are you trying to say God had a wife? They say, Allah, Allah is the only God. No, the fact that they claim one God and we claim one God doesn't mean we are talking about the same God.

[32:25] So, and what is, when they tell you, Anabi Isa, that is Islam, Jesus. When they say Jesus, it's not the same Jesus we are talking about.

[32:36] Because the Jesus Islam talks about is not the son of God. The Jesus Islam talks about did not die on the cross. The Jesus Islam talks about cannot forgive sins.

[32:47] But, Anabi Isa says, Anabi Isa says, in Mark chapter 2, verse 11, verse 9, yeah, Mark chapter 2, verse 6, verse 7, verse 9, and verse 10.

[32:57] He looked at somebody and he says that, your sins are forgiven. Why do you speak this? No, go to the verse 9. Go to the verse 9. Because they said, God, the Lord can. Then, Anabi Isa said, your sins are forgiven you.

[33:10] I say, I write that. Jesus says, and they say, who is this man who can forgive sins? He's not an ordinary man. He's God in the flesh. So, when they tell you that is the same Jesus, ask that, can that Jesus forgive sins?

[33:27] Does that Jesus die to bring redemption? If they say no, say, sorry, that's not the Jesus I'm talking about. And then they don't know what they're trying to do. They said, whoa, no, no, but it's the same, but it has been misrepresented.

[33:40] I said, you think, so what you say has been represented, that's what I'm coming to present to you. You don't know the Jesus I'm talking about. So, I told her, tell her, tell people in the middle, tell them, sorry.

[33:53] Some people tell you things. I've been in church all my life. I went to mission school. I've tried other churches, and now I know I don't really need it. And I tell them that what you thought was Christianity is not Christianity.

[34:05] What was presented to you as Christianity was a religion. Was a religion that has minimized or marginalized Christ, taking religion without Christ.

[34:17] So, you can be in church, and the church can be letters, pray, and reading all that. But anything that eclipses Christ, it is an abomination to God. Without Christ, we've lost it.

[34:30] So, when people tell you, I have been in church, you can be in church. It doesn't mean Christ has been in you. At all. At all. At all. When they say, oh, but what makes you think that it's different?

[34:44] I said I knew Christ. And I said, the Christ I'm talking about, you can't test him and get out. Exactly. You can't test him and get out. So, then which Christ are you talking about? Because the Christ I'm talking about, you can't test him and get out.

[34:57] You can't test him and say, I've thrown him out. In fact, you will want to give up everything for him. That's the Christ I'm talking about. Maybe the one you are talking about is a fake one or lookalike.

[35:13] You know, people have been wearing Obama. There's no, I said Obama, Trump. They do that. No, it's not Trump. No, it's not Trump. So, Jesus asked them, who do men, who do men say I am?

[35:27] Who do men say I am? And in the end, they said, who do you say I am? There are two things that, oh, you cannot get these two things wrong and be right with God.

[35:38] Number one, who Jesus is and what he is to you. If you get any of these things wrong, you can't be right with God.

[35:52] Who is Jesus and who is he to you? Who is Jesus and who is he to you? Who is Jesus and who is he to you? Personally, your relation with Jesus and who you know him to be.

[36:05] If you get any of these two wrong, you can't be right with God. Wow. Isn't it amazing?

[36:17] It's amazing. Isn't it fantastic? It's fantastic. So, Jesus asked them, who do men say I am?

[36:34] Some said, you are John the Baptist. You are one of the prophets. And Jesus said, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay. Who do you say I am? Who do you say I am? And Jesus said, Peter said, verse 16.

[36:47] Peter said, thou art Christ, the son of the living God. And Jesus said, blessed are you, Simon, but Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father who is in heaven.

[36:59] And I tell you the truth, you are Peter. And upon this rock, the church is built home. So, how did you come into the church and you are not on the foundation? How come you be part of the building, but the foundation doesn't support you?

[37:15] He said, upon this rock, I will build my church. So, there are many. Yesterday, a guy was a Christian, but, you know, sometimes you go and you are preaching.

[37:25] And then the people who can waste your time and it's the other Christians who have all kinds of ideologies and opinions. They lack revelations.

[37:37] You are not winning souls. We are winning souls. And you are not coming to disturb us with, so, who will go to heaven first? Jesus or the Holy Ghost?

[37:48] Somebody was telling Minister Rose, is it right for women to wear trousers? That's a stupid question. Then they were opening.

[37:59] He said, let me show you the astronomy somewhere. Where the Bible says that women should not wear men's clothes. But the trousers is women's trousers. It's not these trousers.

[38:13] When you go to any of the shops, Max, M&S, next order, there's the lady session and the men's session.

[38:25] If I'm looking for jeans, I won't go to the lady session. If I'm going to buy jeans for my wife, I won't buy it from the men's session. He said, you know what I'm talking about? Because the anatomy is different.

[38:36] So, why are you so crazy? He said, women should not. Let's assume that law still is valid. Women should not wear men's clothes. But this one, what the woman is wearing is women's clothes. It's meant for women.

[38:47] So, what's your problem? Or how do you define women's clothes then, men's clothes? All these unnecessary ideologies. And when we are preaching Christ, in fact, Minister Rose in Reading yesterday, someone was telling her that, prove to me that you have the Holy Spirit.

[39:04] Because if you have the Holy Spirit, you won't have nail polish. People are crazy, you know. You won't have nail polish. If you have the Holy Spirit, you'll cover your hair.

[39:16] You'll cover your hair. How can you have the Holy Spirit? And Minister Rose told him that, would you concentrate on preaching Christ? Why don't you preach Christ?

[39:27] And stop this legalism. Whether somebody has three boyfriends, five boyfriends, has been doing porn, is not doing porn. Leave that alone. Preach Christ. Pastor Isipari, you have been doing that.

[39:39] No, no. This one is discipleship. Believers. It's believers. It's believers. Because you are, the meeting, this service is organized for believers, not unbelievers.

[39:51] But unbelievers can come in and they will be saved. But believers. So we have to disciple believers and tell the believers what the scriptures say, how they should live.

[40:04] So it's just believers. And however, if someone is faulting, we don't judge the person and condemn the person. Because there is now therefore no condemnation.

[40:14] I feel like preaching. I feel like preaching. I'm preaching. Let me round this thing up because I'll continue next week. Huh. Why are you guys laughing at me?

[40:27] Is everything okay? So I can continue preaching? Yes. All right. So, watch this. We preach Christ. Jesus said, who do men say I am?

[40:38] And then, after they said, who do you say I am? And then he says, Peter said, you are the son of the living God, the Christ, the son of the living God. Jesus said, flesh and blood has not been given for my, it has been revealed to you by my father in heaven.

[40:50] He said, then he says that upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Why must Jesus ask them this question? Because it's important who you know him to be.

[41:04] Who do you think Jesus is? Oh, he's some Jewish rabbi. Is that all? If you say Jesus is a prophet, he's an insult. He's mortal.

[41:14] He's not a... Jesus, Jesus is... He has supreme eminence or super eminence. What I'm trying to draw attention to is the excellency of Christ.

[41:32] The super eminence of Christ. The... The... The... Let me put it this way. The... The supreme... The supreme preciousness of Christ.

[41:45] And the surpassing worth of Christ. His worth surpasses anything human mind can capture. So let's go to Colossians, where I started from. Colossians chapter 1, verse 15.

[41:58] Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. This is good. You know, one of the things I like more than preaching is just reading the Bible.

[42:14] To you. I prefer that to preaching. It's sweet. The other time I was traveling with somebody in the car or something. And the Bible was playing or something.

[42:25] And I turned to the person. I said, this is too sweet. I love the word. The word of God is sweet. Sweet to the taste of the one who loves God. Who is Jesus? He is the spirit of the invisible God.

[42:37] Ha! What about the word of Jesus? He is the spirit of the invisible God. Where can you find this in any religion? They will say they honor Jesus, but they lack this one. That because they...

[42:49] The Jesus, they think, they describe... They don't know him! Let me say this. Don't you think it's an intellectual assault for Islam to tell us who Jesus is?

[43:08] Think about it. It's an intellectual assault. You're insulting my intelligence. If you tell us who Jesus is, we are Christians, Christians.

[43:24] And you want to tell us who Christ is and you believe you know? You should ask us, please, can you tell us about this Christ?

[43:41] Because what you have, the information you have, is demonically inspired, distorted, is warped, is untrue about Christ.

[43:53] It is called... In 1 John, I think 1 John chapter 5, it says, Anybody who denies that Jesus is the Christ is the Antichrist spirit.

[44:04] Yes. Yes. I think 1 John chapter 5, verse 7 to 12 or 7. Somewhere there, 1 John. It said, for the Antichrist spirit is already in the world.

[44:15] Yeah. It's already in the world. Anyone who denies that Jesus is Christ, who denies that Jesus is the Son of God, people say, that is the Antichrist, Antichrist.

[44:28] So that means that it is necessary to know this is 1 John chapter 4, rather. Okay. And every spirit, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come into, has come in the flesh, is not of God.

[44:41] If any spirit does say that, that spirit is not from God. It doesn't matter how many miracles it's working. If he says that Jesus Christ, that the God, Son of God, if he says he has not come in the flesh, it is not of God.

[44:53] All right. And he said, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is already in the world. What's the job of the spirit of Antichrist?

[45:04] To say that Jesus Christ is not God. He hasn't come in the flesh. God has not really come in the flesh. That's the spirit of Antichrist. You know, there are so many other messages I can preach that can get you excited.

[45:18] But most of us are very unschooled about what Christianity is. Unschooled.

[45:30] We actually don't know. Some of us think we are Christians, but really we don't know Christ. When they ask you, so you believe in Christ, who is Christ? Who is this Christ you believe in?

[45:42] Tell me about Christ. You just, you begin to find, you are found wanting. Look what you actually don't, then you realize, oh, I actually don't know much about Christ. But I thought you've been a Christian for a while. So what has your pastor been preaching?

[45:57] Seven steps to miracles. What has the pastor been preaching? That Saturday morning, I should come and preach you three ways for effective anger management.

[46:11] Go and enroll on a course. I can't, because we have to teach. There are scriptures. There are scriptures. And the scriptures is a hymn book.

[46:23] It's about Christ. You got to know Christ. All right. So it says that, for he is the image.

[46:36] Who is Christ? The image of the invisible God. Oh. Yeah, what? Who is Christ? The image of the invisible God. Oh, I can't hear you. Who is Christ?

[46:46] The image of the invisible God. The image of the invisible God. What does it mean? What do we mean by invisible God? God cannot, Bible says, Jesus himself said, No one, John 1, I think it's 18.

[47:04] John 1, 18. No one has seen God at any time. Did you see that? No one has seen God at any time. And then John 6, John chapter 6, I think it's 44 or 46.

[47:21] John 6, 46. No one can come unless they've, 46, 46. Yeah, not that anyone has seen the Father.

[47:32] Except no one has seen the Father. Okay? No one has seen the Father. Because why? He's invisible. You can't see him. That's why when someone tells you, Prove that there is God.

[47:46] Sometimes I'm tempted to ask you, As you prove that, Prove to me that you also have, You have brains inside your head. Not that, by the way you talk, But, you know, like, Okay, that will sound funny.

[47:57] So, prove to me that you have a pancreas. Prove to me that you have a liver. Can you prove to me? Oh, okay, let's go and do MRI scan. Let's go and scan. Prove to me.

[48:07] As we start, you ask me to prove to you That there is God. You to prove to me that you have a heart. No one has seen God. The Bible says that Moses ran as one seeing him who is invisible.

[48:26] Hebrews chapter 11 verse 27. He was going as one seeing him who is invisible. God is invisible. 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 17.

[48:36] I know you should know that. 1 Timothy 1 verse 17. Now unto the king eternal, Immortal, what? Invisible. No one has seen God. All right?

[48:47] The Bible says that Who is Jesus Christ? He is the image. Ah, get what is, where is going? He is the image of the invisible God. So, John chapter 1 verse 18.

[48:58] Jesus said, No man has seen God, But the son. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten son.

[49:10] Who is in the bosom of the father. He has declared him. He has defined him. He has expressed him. He has spoken him. Declared. Demonstrated.

[49:21] Expressed. So, Christ came as the expression of the invisible God. In Colossians chapter 2 verse 9, He said, For in Christ, for in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead, bodily, physically, in bodily form.

[49:39] God dwells in him. Yes, sir. It's serious. This is Christianity. This is where Christianity starts from and ends.

[49:54] Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. In Hebrews chapter 1 verse 3, Bible says that, For he is the express image of God's person.

[50:06] That's a serious one. Who being the brightness of God's glory, his glory, and the express image of God's person. So, if you want to know what God's person, that word image there, is what you get, it was translated from, I think, a Greek word, which is also used.

[50:24] The spelling is different, but it's pronounced the same way. A Greek word called icon. Icon. Alright. You know icon? Yeah. Yeah.

[50:34] The icon. So, Jesus is the icon of God. You want to know how God, it's like, when you take a coin, the queen's head on the coin, the weight of it.

[50:46] So, when you put the coin on, maybe, what's it called, that thing the children play with, the dough, whatever. Glado. Glado. When you put it on it, you'll see the exact representation of what is on the coin.

[50:57] That's what you see. So, Jesus Christ, is the exact representation of God, in human flesh. Not physical expression, but how God is the expression of God.

[51:08] The only human being, who walked on the face of God, on earth, to express God, adequately. Adam was created, according to Genesis chapter 1, verse 26, he was created in the image of God.

[51:19] And God said, let us make man in our own, say image. Image. Image. You are not getting it. Say image. Image. I'm talking about image. The image of God. God said, let us create man in our own image, after our likeness.

[51:32] And then, Bible says that, sin entered. Now, even Adam, before he sinned, he was not exactly like the image of God, as Christ is. Because Christ is the express image.

[51:42] Okay. Christ. Christ. So, they asked him, you are talking so much, sir, about you are going to the father.

[51:54] Philip said, sir, can you show us the father, and it will be enough for us? John chapter 14, verse 8. Can you show us the father? It's okay. Show me God, I need to be enough. Philip said to him, Lord, show us the father, and it is sufficient for us.

[52:09] As long as we can see God, just show us, where is he? How does it, it will be enough. Do you know what Jesus said? Let's read what Jesus said. Jesus said to him, have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, with the devil.

[52:23] You have seen me, and seen the father. So how can you say, show us the father? So he said, you who have seen me, have seen the father. I've been with you for so long, you don't know me.

[52:35] It didn't say you don't know the father. It said you don't, you are asking for the father. You don't know me? So you don't know me? If you have seen me, you have seen the father. The express image, of the invisible God, the God who cannot be seen.

[52:55] His express expression, was found in Christ. Who is Jesus? That's why, watch this. That's why, watch this. That's why, all other religions, will make a big issue, about the identity of Christ.

[53:10] That's what Christianity is about. Christianity is about, the identity of Christ. So if you can, if you can marginalize that, okay, or you can diminish that, you are finished Christianity.

[53:25] You are finished Christianity. If you can diminish that, you are finished Christianity. That is why, pastors must take responsibility, in preaching Christ. Hallelujah.

[53:37] Listen, if a pastor, is not preaching prosperity, is not preaching marriage, is not preaching your miracles, please, don't let that bother you, if you are a genuine Christian. You should be bothered, if he's not preaching Christ.

[53:50] You should be bothered. You should be bothered. Because then, because then, we are not talking about Christianity. Christ must be the center. Amen.

[54:01] Let me give you the next point, and I think I have to round up, because it's too long. Who is Christ? Put you on the screen. Colossians chapter, Colossians chapter, Colossians chapter, what?

[54:16] Colossians 1. Ah. Let's speak, it will be nice, because I'm going to show you, the how many, all, all, all. As soon as you hit, as soon as you hit verse 17, that was, you can see all things, all things, all things, all things, all things.

[54:32] But now, he says that he, no, he is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. Now, this is going to be interesting here.

[54:44] He is the first born. But I thought you said, he's God. God is the creator. God is a creator.

[54:56] So, if, how can the creator be the first born of all creation? Right. Is he a creation or a creator?

[55:08] Is he a creature, or a creator? That's the question here. Only one verse. It's brought to, two things that if you are not, if you don't have, understand yesterday, I put it up on Facebook, that, you know, human intellect, there's no road, there's no road that leads from human intellect, or human moral good behavior, that will lead into understanding, or the knowledge of God.

[55:39] The knowledge of God, comes by God himself, putting himself, placing himself, within the frame of our reference, or our perception.

[55:52] He has to put him, before we can grasp him. Right. Right. And that is what revelation does. Yeah. Yeah. Mm. So, if you don't have understanding, you may think, oh, all right, all right, all right, all right.

[56:03] Um, um, you see, it's conflicting, because he said he's, he's God, but here he's the creator. First born among creation. So, pastor, tell us, what is the meaning of he being the first born among creation?

[56:17] First born. Put you on the screen, please. Let's all read it for me. Please, let's read it, let's read it out loud. Let's go. Can I have the ladies read it here?

[56:30] Ladies, let's go. Can I have the men? Louder. Let's go, men. He's the image of the God who cannot be seen, the first born over all creation.

[56:50] The first born here does not mean, the first to be born. The first born here means the one who comes before all. So, when you talk about creation, like God said, Israel is my first born.

[57:06] I think, oh, that scripture has jumped. Exodus chapter 14, 22. I didn't write it down. I just, pardon me. So, Israel, God says in the scriptures that Israel, yeah, Exodus 4, 22, that's it.

[57:20] He says that, that says the Lord, Israel is my first son, my first born. Now, watch this. Before Israel came, there were more nations, other nations. So, it doesn't mean Israel was the first nation God created. It doesn't mean Jesus, Jesus being the first born, it doesn't mean he was the first person God created.

[57:35] In other words, he comes before all. Any other thing, Jesus is first when he comes to God. When he comes to creation, Jesus is first. So, look at the next verse of Colossians.

[57:47] Colossians says that, for by him, that's why, why is he first born of all creation? For by him, are all things, okay, sorry, for by him, all things were created, that are in heaven, and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created through him, and for him.

[58:10] Listen, this is the Jesus we are talking about. All things were created through him, and for him. That's the Jesus we preach.

[58:23] I don't believe, I don't believe, you will find out later. Because, I'm going to show you in the verse, when we read further down, later to next week, I'm going to show you, how the Bible says that, all things, to reconcile all things to himself.

[58:40] Verse 20, Jesus Christ will reconcile, all things to himself, by him to reconcile, all things to himself, by him, whether things on earth, and things heaven, having made peace through his blood.

[58:52] So, what are the all things about? Everything. So, excuse me, everything created, will be reconciled to Christ. Now, what that means is, what Philippians chapter 2 talks about, that all tongues will confess, that Jesus is Lord.

[59:07] But, if you don't confess it on earth, if you die, you meet him, you realize that he's Lord, and he will damn you, to hell. You will go to hell, confessing that it's true.

[59:19] It's true. What is Christian? What Pastor David is saying was true? It's true. He said, no. He said, everything shall, everything, everything, everything shall confess, one day.

[59:32] So, you either confess on earth, or after, and then be with him, and, or after death, because everything will be reconciled, to come into account to him.

[59:45] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Our generation doesn't like Jesus at all.

[59:59] But, that is the Christ we preach. The Christ we preach, is the Christ, who is the image, of the invisible God.

[60:10] Who came to die, later on you'll find out, he died, to save us from our sins. I was talking to somebody yesterday, he said, he does not, believe in, any religion, I said, you don't have to.

[60:24] He said, I said, what do you say? I believe in aliens. I said, that's an insult to yours. At least, religion makes, there's a bit of sense, and, but aliens, where is it coming from? He said, I read too many things.

[60:36] I read so many things, and now, I can't be bothered. And I asked him a question about, so how about your sins? He said, I don't know. I said, that's why we are here, to talk to you.

[60:46] Jesus died to save you, from your sins. He said, yeah, but, I believe in aliens, and, some of us, believe in avatar, to stick your, your, stick your tail on a tree.

[61:01] We want some, world. Somebody told us, I believe in a force. When I die, I'll become, I'll dissipate into energy. What energy?

[61:12] For what? And these are big people, people who believe, they have red, white. Is it not amazing?

[61:26] Amazing. Alright. I want to, bring my message to a close now. So the, the message is that, we preach Christ, and him crucified.

[61:37] That's the message of Christianity. If we deviate from that, we have betrayed the gospel, or, we have abandoned the gospel, and we are going to harm people, because it will not, nothing saves by Christ, for there is no other name, given amongst men, that men, should be saved.

[61:51] The name, Christ Jesus, in Jesus name. Amen. Did you receive something? Amen. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Alright. Let's, let's pray.

[62:02] Please bow your heads. I want us to pray. God, how about share that at us? Thank you, Lord Jesus. Thank you for the glorious moment. Thank you for this afternoon. Thank you for this season.

[62:13] Thank you for your power. Thank you for your glory, in the name of Jesus. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Just begin to thank God. Begin to thank God, begin to pray that, Lord, help me to understand you more.

[62:24] Help me to know you better. Help me to get closer to you. Begin to pray that prayer right now. Begin to pray that. Let's all rise to our feet. Let's all rise to our feet. Let's all please, let's all rise to our feet. Begin to pray that, God, help me to get closer to you.

[62:36] Help me to know you closely. Help me to know you better. Help me to serve you better. Make that your prayer. Make that your prayer. Make that your prayer. If you need God to help you overcome something, overcome a certain type of sin, overcome an addiction, begin to pray that prayer right now.

[62:51] Begin to pray that prayer. Begin to pray that prayer. Begin to pray that prayer. Begin to pray that prayer. Pray that God help me. God help me. God help me. Begin to pray.

[63:02] Lift up your right hand, everybody. Lift up your right hand or your hands and then pray that God help me. No movement anywhere. I don't want any movement anywhere. Everywhere. Silence. And let's, human beings, let's all pray.

[63:13] Let's pray. Pray that God help me. God help me. Lord help me. I want to serve you. I want to know you better. I know you are drawing me closer to yourself. I know you are drawing me closer to yourself. I know you are drawing me closer to yourself. I know you are drawing me closer to yourself.

[63:29] Lord, I want to serve you. Have mercy on me. I want to serve you. I want to serve you. Reveal yourself to me, Jesus. I want to know you better. I want to know you better. I want to know you better. I want to know you better. I want to know you better.

[63:43] I want to know you better. I want to know you better. Lord! I want to know you better. I want to serve you. Draw me close to you. I surrender everything to you.

[63:54] I want to know you better. Father, thank you for the privilege to know you. Thank you for helping us to hear about your message, to know who you are and to build a relationship with you.

[64:06] Because if we don't know who you are, you can't save us. But we believe you died on the cross to save us. You are the image of God amongst men to save us from our sins.

[64:20] We believe you. We believe that you love us so much that you gave yourself for us. Thank you, Jesus. In Jesus' name. Please be seated. Let's be seated quietly. I don't want any movement in the building.

[64:33] Please bow your heads. Let's all bow our heads. Bow your heads with me. And I want to pray for a special group of people here. Today, you are here, you want to say, Pastor, I need to develop a relationship with Jesus.

[64:49] I need him to save me from my sins. I need him to come into my heart and to be my Lord, because Jesus is Lord, but he's not Lord over my life. Today, I want to make him Lord over my life.

[65:01] Pastor, I need you to pray with me. Pray with me that I want to invite Jesus into my heart. If that's your genuine prayer, Pastor, pray with me. I want Jesus to be in my heart. I want Jesus to be my Lord.

[65:11] I want to serve him. I want to be honest with him. I want to be faithful to Jesus. I want to walk a pure life for Jesus. If that's your genuine prayer, please lift up your right hand so I can sit and pray with you.

[65:22] Maybe you have also done that before, but you have backslided. You don't have a relationship with Jesus. You used to have a relationship, but now it's all time low. Things are very bad. And you want to say, Pastor, pray with me. I want to invite Jesus back into my life.

[65:34] I want to rededicate my life to Jesus. If that's your genuine desire, lift up your right hand so I can sit and pray with you. God bless you as you do that. God bless you. It's personal. It's personal. You want to say, Pastor, pray with me.

[65:45] I want to do it. God, you know God is talking to you. Don't postpone it. God is talking to you. You want to do it. You know. You want to be genuine this time. For once. For once. You want to make it up with Jesus.

[65:57] You want to make it up. I want to serve Jesus. I want him to forgive my sins. Lift it up. Lift it up. God bless you. Please don't die in your sins. This is the time to make it right with Jesus.

[66:09] He says that no one can come to me except the Father draws him. But the problem is there are people God is drawing, but they don't want to obey God.

[66:21] They don't want to obey God. There are people God is drawing. If God is drawing you, you know in your heart God is speaking to you. Make it right with Jesus. You know you want to make it right with Jesus. Don't die in your sins. If something happens to you right now and you die, you will go to hell.

[66:34] But you don't have to die in your sins. You have to respond to the call of God and say, Lord Jesus, I surrender it all. I surrender it all. I surrender it all. Lift up your hands and let's pray.

[66:45] Say, Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner and I've sinned against you. But I believe you died on the cross to save me from my sins. I ask you to forgive me because I repent from all my sins.

[66:59] And I invite you into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. From today onwards, I make a determination that I will serve you. Jesus is Lord over my life.

[67:13] Jesus is Lord in every situation in my life. Thank you for what you have done for me. In Jesus' name, amen. God bless you so much.

[67:23] We thank God for using this server, Reverend Dr. David Entry, to share this awesome word. If this message has blessed you in any way, please spread the word by sharing it and send us an email to amen at karis.org.

[67:36]  Remember to stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter for regular updates on what God is doing here at Karis Ministries. Stay blessed. Amen& custom Sis GracieQUI